Technical problems plague Garlits' electric dragster run

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits is backed out of his initial second run attempt because of a problem with the SR-37 "Swamp Rat 37" electric dragster at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Fla. on Sunday, June 8, 2014.

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“We had some of our best run times today, but then the motor problem,” Garlits said shortly after the record try.

Test run No. 1 finished at 160.39 mph in 8.243 seconds. Run No. 2, on reduced power, topped at 173.51 mph in 7.543 seconds. Both are quarter-mile times. The eighth-mile times were 5.218 at 131.46 mph and 4.775 at 145.16, respectively.

At the start of run No. 2, several spectators noted “sparks flying” from the dragster as Garlits spun away from the starting line. Following the second try, the car was taken to a nearby staging tent and Garlits announced an end to the day's session before a full-power try could be made.

Electric drive system drive designer Shawn Lawless, of Lawless Industries, a company that provides many of the electrical features for Disney World and other theme parks, took the day in stride as another test of the car.

“It's experimental racing. We had voltage up to the limit and a brush spring melted out. Otherwise, everything worked as expected. We are going to rebuild (one of the six) drive motors and likely try again in July,” Lawless said.

Battery developer Derek Barger, owner of High Tech Systems, explained that the four lithium ion packs that power the motors cost about $15,000 each and are custom designed. He said the batteries produce 420 volts and 100 amps, and they should last about 10 years.

The batteries take from about 15 to 30 minutes to recharge between runs, and project technicians estimate electrical cost per quarter mile pass at less than 25 cents.

Tim Anderson, with Racepak, ran data collection on the car during this series Sunday. That will provide valuable information for the next attempt.

National Electric Drag Racing Association marketing director Keith Howard, who was at the event, said he hopes that Garlits' record attempt is a “catalyst to get electric technology out to the public.”

Four generations of the Garlits family were involved in the effort, including Don Garlits; his daughter Donna Garlits; her son, Rodney Garlits; and Rodney's son, Braden “A.J.” Garlits, 2, who cheered as the family gathered at the end of the starting line

Noise was no hazard. The car sets up smoke and tire squeal like a conventional drag car but sounds like a bottle rocket as it sizzles down the track without the usual gut-wrenching roar of the nitro powered Top Fuel racers

The next attempt may be weeks away as Garlits prepares to go on back-to-back tours, the first to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and later a Canadian MoPar gathering and a stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

On the second tour, later this year, Garlits will revisit the site of his 1967 NHRA Championship in Indianapolis with his rebuilt original dragster, Swamp Rat 11.

Garlits, 82, is fronting an effort to bring what he has said is a clean, less-expensive-to-operate, sustainable and environmentally sound technology to the sport.

“I'm beginning to feel like Chuck Yeager trying to break the sound barrier. I might call our car SW X 37,” he said referring to the record setting “X” planes of the 1950s and 1960s.

Garlits has stated he plans to tour making demonstration races with his grandson, Rodney.

Don Garlits is also joining with local car tuner Josh Hart of Burnyzz Speed Shop to produce another electric dragster.

Hundreds of fans endured temperatures likely around 90 degrees on hot asphalt to watch the drag racing legend make the attempt on Sunday.

A welcome sight was a hydration station and support RV by LazyDays RV of Seffner, Garlits' hometown.

Tom Medel, of Venice, and Lisa and Mike Wedin, of Sarasota, and their grandson, Wyatt Johnston, 5, braved the heat to watch “Big Daddy” Garlits try for the record.

Jon Zorion, who worked as a machinist with Garlits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, came out to see his “dear friend” try for a record in the electric drag car.

Teri and Leo Santucci race a 1954 Studebaker dragster that covers the quarter mile in 8.9 seconds at the Bradenton track. They came out to watch Garlits shoot for the record.

“We've been racing for about 40 years,” Leo Santucci, 72, said. He said he feels electrics will not replace the fueled dragsters.